A former teacher who held numerous leadership roles with the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) before being seconded to the Ministry of Education will serve as the board’s interim director of education.
“My priority will be to continue building strong relationships with all stakeholders and strengthening YRDSB’s legacy as a welcoming and inclusive organization focused on the achievement and well-being of students through caring, skilled and dedicated staff members,” said Scott Yake.
He assumes the position of interim director on November 1 the day after Louise Sirisko’s term as director of education ends. The newly-elected board of trustees will help complete the search for a permanent director of education.
“I appreciate my goal will be to ensure the continued success of the organization and assist with the transition for the permanent director,” Yake said.
Before her appointment as director of education for YRDSB in 2018, Sirisko spent 27 years in education, including as director of the Special Education/Success for All Branch at Ministry of Education. She launched her career with Peel District School Board in 1990 as an elementary school teacher and focused a large part of her career on supporting students with special education needs who required extra care.
“We would like to thank Louise Sirisko for her previous five years and welcome Scott Yake as interim director of education,” says board chair Allan Tam. “We are confident that our students, their families, and staff will continue to experience success in safe, healthy and inclusive learning and working environments throughout the board, and we remain committed to serving the diverse communities throughout York Region with ethical leadership while building collaborative relationships with all stakeholders.”
Yake has a Master of Education from the University of Toronto (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) in Educational Leadership and Administration. He completed executive leadership programs at U of T’s Rotman School of Management and Western University’s Ivey Business School. He previously served YRDSB for 30 years as a teacher, vice-principal, principal, superintendent, coordinating superintendent and associate director of education.
In 2018, he was seconded to the Ministry of Education as a special advisor in Education Labour Relations and Operations. He played a provincial role in sector-wide negotiations and provided leadership during the provincial response to schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most recently, Yake served as the Leadership Development Strategist for The Salvation Army (Canada and Bermuda Territory). “I look forward to my return to YRDSB and to working with the board of trustees, senior team and all staff members, students, families and community partners in York Region,” he said after the announcement.
